Creating a Connected World: ICT must be at the centre of the development agenda

New York City, 21 May 2014

Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for the Digital Agenda

The Post-2015 Development Agenda is described as the most far-reaching and comprehensive development related endeavour ever undertaken by the United Nations in its entire history.sentence permalink

+

I hope we deliver on that ambition, and I am honoured to make the European Union’s contribution to that end.sentence permalink

+

But let us be clear to each other and to voices from other sectors and issues. If we want to eradicate poverty and deliver a sustainable future for our world, we need to fully use the digital tools at our disposal.sentence permalink

+

Access to mobile devices and networks and big data processing are two of strongest enablers of economic opportunity. We know for certain now that digital inclusion is directly linked to increasing GDP.sentence permalink

+

This is already recognised by the High-Level Panel of eminent persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda.sentence permalink

I think, one of the ultimate aims for the post-development agenda 2015 should be, to create a “connected world”.sentence permalink

+

Not because ICT is a goal in itself – but because it is the means to our other goals, from health to education, from inclusive growth to gender equality, and more.sentence permalink

+

We speak of connectivity and a connected continent in Europe because we believe in “inclusive infrastructure” – accessible to 100% of Europeans.sentence permalink

+

We believe that without inclusive infrastructure it is impossible to successfully address the other elements of the digital divide related to affordability and skills.sentence permalink

+

Getting there takes coalitions of industry, governments and investors to roll out broadband infrastructure and pool investments. That is how we were able to achieve 100% affordable broadband coverage in Europe as of October 2013.sentence permalink

+

I dream of the world as a network of connected continents, countries, cities and regions, and people.sentence permalink

+

Maximising opportunity, regardless of where you live, what you look like or who your parents are has been the driving force of my life and career. And that is why the internet is so exciting to me.sentence permalink

+

I always say: People make the difference. You can set up any structure or target, invest big sums of money. But without the goodwill of people and open mindset for change, you are lost.sentence permalink

+

That’s why I choose an approach centred on people who want change. In Europe we have tackled our fragmented market and continent by bringing industry and civil society together in coalitions for creating growth and jobs. We asked national leaders to appoint visible role models to act as multipliers. These champions force attention, identify gaps, push investment and teach skills. … All at local level.sentence permalink

I don’t want the South to merely catch up with the North. I want the South to be global leaders. And many developing countries have already demonstrated their enormous potential in ICTs. Something that can be shared from a South-South perspective.sentence permalink

+

Kenya’s mobile leaderships shows us that mobile can allow the South to leapfrog the world. We see similar patterns in Europe, where the fastest broadband is in Lithuania and Romania. Where the most digital country is Estonia.sentence permalink

+

Big or small, South or North – digital levels the playing field in a way few other tools can.sentence permalink

+

We speak a lot about grassroots change in United Nations forums. We speak a lot about inclusive processes. Rightly so.sentence permalink

+

But we need to marry those ideals with the reality of our world. The Internet has started to become the best tool the world has known for inclusion and enabling grassroots change.sentence permalink

+

So this precious and seamless gift needs to be central to our whole development agenda.sentence permalink

+

And it must remain our shared open platform for inclusion and innovation. This work is underway thanks to Brazil’s internet governance leadership at the NETmundial conference last month.sentence permalink

+

CONCLUSION

Because digital is everywhere – we need to put digital thinking and digital policies everywhere.sentence permalink

We an alliance, a virtual coalition of people will push this change once the discussions on new post-2015 framework are finished. Digital champions across the world uniting for a better, connected world.sentence permalink

1

I am doing it for my grandchildren – 4 and 6 years old – who are you doing it for?sentence permalink

+

A connected world is the global basis for sustainable inclusion, growth and environmental protection.sentence permalink